Duplex hydrant



\ H. l. ACKER.

nuPLEx-HYDRANT. APPLICATION FILED JANfZ, 1920.

1,888,785. Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

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HAROLD. r.. AGRER, or` NEW YORK,l N. Y.,

'PAT/ENT OFFICE AssrGNoR- To EOAMITE ErREEoA-M com.-

PANY, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y., A .CORPORATION OE DELAWARE.

' EUPEEX iiYDRANri.L Y

- system employing two separatesolutions.

Systemsv of this type now in general use employ solutions which, when miXed,inter act chemically to produce a suitable firefextinguishing medium, one common typeforming a heavy lather-like foam. Such solutions must necessarily be kept out of contact with each other until immediately adjacent the point of application to a fire; and various systems employing duplex conduits and provided with suitable-mixing and projecting Vheads have beendeveloped for use with this type of extinguishingmedium.

In connection withy systems othis type, flexible hose lines have been inventechsuch as 'are disclosedr lin the patent to Meigs #1,319,101 and the patent to Walker #1,299,- 272, adapted to fbe connected to a suitable duplex source. The use ofthese hose lines has proved extremely'advantageous because oit' their great adaptability, as no lixed foamproducing installation is required, and the mixed solutions can be a'pplied'to a fire anywhere'within a large Varea without other apparatus than suitablefixed supply lines and the flexible hose connected thereto.

The arrangements for connecting the du-l pleX hose tothe source of supply have, however, been unsatisfactory. For efficient Voperation ofy two-solution systems, 1t is necessary to mix the solution indefinite propor-4 tions. 1 The valvesfof the mixing apparatus and usually the conduits conveying the 'sep` arate solutions, are suitably proportioned Vwitlrthis end inview. Consequently, such a system loses some of its eiliciency if thev proportions yare varied. This result is common with the present method of connecting the hose to thesource kof supply, as each's'olution-carrying member of' theduplex hose is connected separatelyV and byindependent means to the main line; Consequently, inl

, lspe@intention of Lettersratent, i' r'Patented 23, 1921.

" Applicatifnfled-January 2, 1920.` Serial No. 348,717.

impropermixture at first, and' yOtten permanently impairingf the mixture by failureto lopen the connecting` valveot one ofthe solutions to its fullest extent.

' The primary object ofmyf invention is to provide apparatus for connecting a duplex n distributingsystem, such. as a hose line, with a duplex source of supply.

A further obj ect is to providefaconnecting device of this type which/is adapted toinsure proper proportional release otthe .two solutions, 'so that afperfect intermixturei at all ti-inesis assured. i f the speciiic embodiment of my invention, I provide' a h drant which is adapted to be connected to ualmainpipe lines, Vand whic'hfis `provided with suitable means` for rapidly connecting a duplex hose line. This construction `permits the use o1"`- the two-solu` ytion systeintin va manner heretofore' practi-l cableonly withwater systems, by employing main pipe lines extending through Vthe gen-` eral area to bevk protected; and provided atY suitably spaced points with hydrants.v Writh this arrangement, a fire in any part of' the area cank be rapidly attacked without a fixed i `system of sprinklers orf other solution. eject' ors, and without the transportation ofL port? able extinguishers. Furthermore, the supply of the extinguishingk solution, is notwlimited bythe `capacity of such'portable apparatus.`

My invention, however; is notrestricted to this specific use, althoughit is-believed to be the first practical apparatus. permitting the' use of such? a i system.

A1 further obj ect of my invention isto provide meansfor. releasing the two solutions, so constructed and" arranged that ythe release will"`necessarily be simultaneous'.

I also7providesuch a construction whichf is simple and strong, positive in action, easy and rapid to manipulate, and in-which the parts Vmay readily be exposedjfor inspection or replacement. Y

f -I further provide an arrangement in which the two solutions are effectively prevented from accidental contact' with' each other, and

in which the danger of sticking through inf crustation` of parts is effectually avoided.

Other objects and advantages ofjmy linvention 'will be apparent from the following description,` taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which consists ofV throughja preferred a vertical cross-section form of hydrant.i

The hydrant comprises a body portion 10 provided with two valve chambers 11y completely separated from each other, as by central partition 12, which preferably is cast integral with the body 10. Each chamber 11 is connected with a main supply pipe 13 in any desired way. In the preferred form, I employ a base 14, which may be separate from body 10 .and connected thereto as by bolts 15, the base being suitably apertured to receive the threaded ends of pipes 13. rhe connection betweenpipes 13 and chambers 11 is closed by` suitable valves of any desired type provided with spindles 16 passing upwardly through chambers 11 and controlling the operation ofthe valves. I have illustrated one formof' valve construction, which includes a seat 17 preferably carried bybase 14. The valve head v18 is mounted on spindle 16, as by providing a loclr Vnut 19 threaded into the top of the valve head 13 to holdA the latterin engagement with a shoulder 2O on, spindle 16. Valve' head 18 is preferably provided with a suitable seating plate or ring 21, `which may be removably held in place to permit renewalthereof, as by nutv 22 threaded on the lower end of spindle 16. It willbe apparent that this specific form of valve construction, while very simple, strong and effective, is simply illustrative, and many other types of valve may be employed. It is to be noted, however, that the specific construction disclosed `provides a relatively narrow rim along the upper edge of seat 17 with which washer 21 is in contact, tending to prevent sticking or freezing of the valveV through accumulation or incrustation ofsubstances carried by the solutions.

Vlhile I prefer to employ a connection with the main supply pipes in which the connecting passages are located at the bottom of chambers 11 andsubstantially alined therewith, permitting` the valve heads 18 to be mounted rigidly on spindle 16 transverse to theV chambers, it will be apparent that many other types of spindle actuated valves are well known and may be substituted for the type disclosed, the appropriate changes inthe connections with thermain supply pipes being apparent to thosegskilled in the art. e

I provide means for guiding spindles 16, which preferably includes bearings 23v at the' upper end ofeach chamber, adapted to permit free action of thespindle without allowing the solutions to How past the bearings and out of thechambers 11. BearingsV 23 preferably include bushings 24, and when the spindles are longitudinally reciprocated, as in the preferred form disclosed, each is preferably provided with a sealing disk or-plate 25 having an upper surface 26 either integral with or of separate material from the plate, and composed of rela- Vin which the screw 31 revolves.

tively soft material, such as lead, which when drawn upwardly against bushing 24 serves both tolimit the motion of Aspindle 16 and to seal the bushing effectually against any possible leakage of solution therethrough. I also may provide a guide or bearing 27 for each spindle adjacent the lower end thereof, which may be mounted on suitable extensionsl28 on the walls of each chamber 11.

I provide means for simultaneously operating the valves by common control. of spindles 16. The preferred form disclosed is adapted to raisel and lower the spindles 16 simultaneously, and comprises a cross head 29 connected to the upper end of each spindle, as by nuts 30, which permit accurate adjustment of the cross head on each spindle 16. Operating screw 31 is connected to the cross head 29 and, in the preferred form disclosed, is rotatably mounted on said cross head, as by lock bushing 32 threaded into cross head 29 and serving as a journal .Saidscrew 31 is threaded through av bushing33 ,on the hydrantv head 34, which is carried by body 10 and preferably detachably mounted thereon, as by screws 35. lWeansV for rotating screw 31 is provided, which may consist of a hand wheel 36V engaging a sleeve 37 through which screw 31 is threaded, lock nut 38 holding screw 3l in adjusted position in said sleeve.

I/Vhile the specificeform of valve shifting mechanism disclosed is adapted only to reciprocate the spindles 16,' I do not consider my invention, in its broad aspect, as limited to this arrangement, as valves operated by rotating spindlesA are well known.

Suitable outlets 39 from chambers 11 are 105 provided, preferably being of the wellknown hydrant type having athreaded eX- terior shoulder 40 closed by screw cap 4l. Y

^VThe modeof operation of the hydrant will be apparent. The valves are necessarily 110 operated simultaneously, thus assuring simultaneous arrival ofthe two solutions 'at the mixing chamber. Furthermore, pipes 13 connecting with the main supply lines, and outlets 39, are suitably proportioned 115 so that the amount of solution passing therethrough must necessarily be exactly correct to produce a mixture of maximum eficiency. While chambers 11 may be similarly proportioned, I prefer to provideV 120 means for filling the chambers at an equal rate, independent of the size of Vpipes 13, by suitably proportioning valve heads V18, so that the head closing the smaller pipe 13 will fbe spaced from the "walls of its cham- 125 ber 11 by a Vdistance greater than the clear-` ance of the other head, permitting a more rapid flow of the solution from the smaller pipe, at the left of the drawing, and a consequent even filling of chambers 11. How- 150 vreadily and rapidly removed and replaced.-

ever, this feature' is not essential, as the difference inthe time required to lill the tvvo chambers 11 is relatively slight.

It Will be apparent that my hydrant is so constructed, asto be readily and cheaply manufactured, adjustablethroughout, and so arranged that any partethereof' may be It is, furthermore, arranged so that the Working parts are provided complete pro.- tection by a heavy casing, but are readily and rapidly accessible for inspectiomwith out interfering` with the adjustmentofthe Working parts, the valves being exposed by removing` bolts l5, and the cross head'connection by removing screws 35. Y

While I have described the preferred form of my invention andindicated certain .variations thereof, it vvilll be apparent that many other changes may be made Within the scope of my invention asset forth in this specification. v

l. In a fire extinguishing system ofthe multiple solution type, a hydrant -including a casingadapted to be mountediniixed position, a separate passage through the casing foreach solution, each passage being adapted to be connected to a suitable source of'solution supply,.valve means yfor closing each passage, unitary means for simultaneously opening all of the passages to permit synchronous flow of the solutions therethrough, and means for connecting eachA passage to a line of a multiple distribution system.

2. In a fireextinguishing'system of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supplyA each provided with an outlet, a valve for closingand `opening each outl eteach valve including an operating spindle, means engaging'said spindles for simultaneously operating all of said valves, and means for connecting to each valve one line of a multiple distribution system, the

construction being such that the simul taneous operation of the valves Will effect synchronous iovv of the solutions into the lines of the distribution system.l

3. In a lire extinguishing system of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supply each provided with an outlet, a valve including a spindle adapted to be reciprocated for closing andvopening cach outlet, means engaging said spindles and adapted to reciprocatey them simultaneously to provide synchronous operation ofall of said valves,y and means for connecting to each valve one line of a multiple distribution system, the construction' being such that thesimultaneous operation of the valves Will effect synchronous flow of the solutions into the lines of the distribution system.

4. In a lire extinguishing system of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supply eachsprovided With an outlet, a valvelincluding a spindle adapted to be reciprocated to close and open. each outlet, a .crosshead connected to all of said spindles, means for reciprocating theccross" outlet, a valve including `a-spindle adapted to bewreciprocated to close and open each outlet, across head connected toall of said Spindleamanually operatedscrew means for reciprocatingvfthe cross head to providesimultaneous operation of allof the valves,

' and means for connecting to each valve one line of a -multiple distribution system, the construction being suchrthat the operation of the cross head Will effect `synchronous ilow of the solutions into thelines ofthe distribution system. Y Y

'6.In a. fire extinguishing system of the multiple solution-type, separate main sources of supply .each provided with an outlet', a valve forclosing and opening each outlet including a reciprocating spindle for operating the valve, a common housing for all ofthe valves, means carried by said housing for rsimultaneously operating said valves, and means for connectingfto each valve one line of ka multiple distributionl system, the construction being such-that the simultaneous operation of the valves will effect synchronous vflow` of the solutions into the. lines ofv the distribution system. f

multiple solution type, separate main sources 'Y of supply each provided with an outlet, a hydrant having a plurality of chambers each connected to an outlet,A a valve for closing the connection between each outlet and chamber, meansk for Iconnecting to each chamber one line of a multiple distribution system, and means for simultaneously operating all of the valves, the construction Y .being such that such operation will effect synchronous flow of the solutions into'the lines of the distribution system.

8; In a fire extinguishing system of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supply each provided with an outlet, a hydrant having a plurality of chambers each connected to an outlet, a valve for closing the connection between each outlet Aand connected chamber, each valve including an operating spindle terminating outside of said chamber, means for connecting to each chamber one line of a multiple distribution system, and means engaging all of the spindles to operate simultaneously all of the valves, the construction being such that such operation will elfect synchronous flow of the solutions into the lines of the distribution system.

9. In a fire extinguishing syste-m of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supply each provided with an outlet, a hydrant having a plurality of chambers each connected to an outlet, a valve for closing the connection between each outlet and connected chamber, each valve including an operating spindle passing through the chamber and terminating outside of said chamber, means for connecting to each-chamber one line of a multiple distribution system, and means carried by the hydrant for engaging all of the spindles to operate simultaneously all of the valves, the construction being such that such operation will eiiect synchronous How of the solutions into the lines `of the distribution system.

10. ln a re extinguishing system of the multiple solution type, separate main- Sources of supply each provided with an outlet, a hydrant having a plurality of separate longitudinal chambers each connected adjacent one end with one of said outlets, a valve adjacent said end for closing the outlet, a valve actuating spindle extending longitudinally of the chamber and through the other end thereof, means engaging all of the spindles outside of said chambers to operate the valves simultaneously, and means for connecting to each chamber one line of a multiple distribution system, the construction being such that such operation will effect synchronous flow of the solutions into the lines of the distribution system.

l1. In a lire extinguishing system of the multiple solution type, separate main sources of supply each provided with an outlet, a hydrant having a plurality of separate longitudinal chambers each connected adjacent one end with one of said outlets, a valve adjacent said ends for closing the outlet, a

valve actuatingv spindle extending longitudinally of the chambers and through a bear` ing in the other end therein, adapted to open and close the valve by' reciprocating movements in said bearing, a sealing disk mounted on each spindle and adapted to bear against the bearing when the spindle gitudinal chambers each connected adjacent one end with one of said outlets, a valve seat adjacent said end of each chamber, a valve head locatedvin each chamber and adaptedto engage said seat to close the outlet, a spindle engaging each head and passing through the opposite end of the. chamber, adapted to open and close said outlet by reciprocating movements, means engaging all of the spindles outside of said chambers to operate the valves simultaneously, and means for connecting to each chamber one line of a multiple distribution system.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 30th day of December, A. D. 1919. k

HAROLD i. AGKER. i 

